An evacuation, a proposal, blizzards and endless injuries - Berry Rotarians have got some tales to tell from the recent Everest Assault.
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Eight Rotarians and their families, 21 in total, trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp in March and raised $2000 to go to eradicating polio across the world.
Berry Rotarian and experienced mountaineer, Ken Hutt, led the group who were aged between 16 and 74 years.
They were partnered by fellow Rotarian Tilak Thapa Magar, from the Rotary Club of Kathmandu North East, and with the assistance of his trekking company (Nepal Hiking Pty Ltd), they organised accommodation and expert guides and porters.
The group trekked at high altitude for up to 10 hours a day for 10 days.
"It is not just a walk in the park and certainly not a holiday, by any account," Ken said.
"The primary task for our trekkers, who generally would not normally participate in such a challenge, was to reach Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5350 metres above sea level.
"These people are not mountain climbers or athletes, or even serious adventurers, just a group of passionate and well-meaning people trying to make our world a better place."
They reached Base Camp on March 26. It was a particularly memorable moment for one trekker, who proposed to his girlfriend Amanda in the shadow of Everest. Fortunately she said said yes, ensuring the trip doesn't wasn't anymore uncomfortable than it needed to be.
After a fall at Base Camp resulted in a head injury, one trekker required evacuation on horseback and then, accompanied by three other team members suffering the serious effects of altitude, retreated to lower altitudes by helicopter.
While it had its challenges, upon return to Kathmandu, Ken said the experience was incredible.
"It has been a real adventure with us all giving 100 per cent. We have experienced sore and tired legs, knee injuries, severe headaches, stomach and chest infections, cuts and black eyes, acute mountain sickness and oedema, but we have had 21 of us reach the goal of Everest Base Camp," he said.
"We have had long days trekking through fresh snow and ice, blizzards and evacuations by horses and helicopters. But we are now back in Kathmandu- all of us. Our hospitalised team members are back with us and getting fitter.
"These trekkers are all champions."
Ken Hutt will now look ahead to an even bigger challenge for Polio eradication - planning a World Record Everest Assault.
After his successful flight from the world's sixth highest mountain in 2014, and with the approval of the Nepalese Government, Ken will be making an attempt to fly a paraglider from the summit of Everest at more than 8,800 metres.
It is the first time approval for such a feat will have been granted.
Ken is seeking sponsorship for this event, and there's an opportunity to accompany him to Base Camp as part of this expedition.
Contact Ken at ken.hutt@outlook.com if you wish to sponsor this event or be involved in the 2020 trek.
About Rotary's polio eradication plan
Around 35 years ago there were over 1000 cases of polio recorded every day.
Rotary Clubs across the world decided then to take action to help eradicate this serious threat to children and stop the deaths and paralysing effects of this disease.
They're winning the battle, but there is much more to be done till the fight is over.
To donate to the Everest Assault head to the Rotary Club of Berry
